Format: Live instructor-led online training via Zoom / Microsoft Teams

SurveyCTO for Research Projects Training Course

Course Overview

The SurveyCTO for Research Projects Training Course is designed to equip participants with practical knowledge and technical competencies in mobile data collection, electronic questionnaire development, field data management, and research information systems using SurveyCTO. As organizations increasingly embrace digital transformation and evidence-based decision-making, SurveyCTO has emerged as one of the leading secure and reliable platforms for mobile data collection in research, monitoring and evaluation, humanitarian assessments, public health studies, market research, and development projects. This course provides participants with comprehensive skills for designing, deploying, and managing high-quality digital data collection systems.

The course emphasizes the complete research data lifecycle, including survey design, form programming, skip logic development, data validation, mobile device configuration, geospatial data collection, multimedia integration, server management, and real-time monitoring. Participants will learn how to build complex electronic questionnaires, deploy mobile surveys in online and offline environments, supervise field teams, and ensure high standards of data quality throughout the research process.

SurveyCTO offers advanced features for secure data management, encryption, automated quality checks, real-time monitoring, and seamless integration with statistical and analytical platforms. These capabilities make it an ideal solution for organizations conducting large-scale surveys and research projects requiring accurate, timely, and reliable information. Participants will develop practical skills that improve operational efficiency, reduce errors associated with paper-based surveys, and strengthen organizational research and evaluation capabilities.

Through interactive presentations, practical exercises, web-based tutorials, hands-on assignments, collaborative group work, and real-world case studies, participants will acquire competencies in mobile data collection technologies, digital research methodologies, fieldwork supervision, data quality assurance, and reporting systems. Upon successful completion of this course, participants will possess the expertise required to implement and manage professional research projects using SurveyCTO.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1.     Understand the architecture and functionalities of SurveyCTO.

2.     Design and develop electronic questionnaires for research projects.

3.     Configure skip logic, constraints, and validation rules.

4.     Deploy surveys on mobile devices and manage field operations.

5.     Collect geospatial and multimedia research data efficiently.

6.     Configure SurveyCTO servers and manage project settings.

7.     Monitor field data collection activities in real time.

8.     Apply data quality assurance and data management procedures.

9.     Export and integrate data with analytical software packages.

10.  Implement secure and efficient digital research systems.

Organizational Benefits

Organizations participating in this training will be able to:

1.     Reduce costs associated with paper-based data collection.

2.     Improve the speed and accuracy of research data collection.

3.     Strengthen monitoring and evaluation information systems.

4.     Enhance data quality and validation processes.

5.     Improve real-time project monitoring and supervision.

6.     Increase accountability and transparency in field operations.

7.     Improve evidence-based planning and decision-making.

8.     Facilitate secure management of sensitive research data.

9.     Enhance organizational digital transformation initiatives.

10.  Strengthen institutional research and knowledge management capacities.

Target Participants

This course is suitable for:

·       Researchers and Research Assistants

·       Monitoring and Evaluation Officers

·       Data Managers and Data Analysts

·       Survey Coordinators and Enumerators

·       Public Health Professionals

·       Humanitarian and Development Practitioners

·       Government Planning Officers

·       Project Managers and Coordinators

·       NGO Program Officers

·       Information Management Specialists

·       Academic Researchers and Students

·       Consultants involved in survey design and implementation

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to SurveyCTO and Digital Data Collection

·       Overview of digital data collection technologies

·       Introduction to SurveyCTO architecture and components

·       Advantages of mobile data collection systems

·       Understanding SurveyCTO workflows and functionalities

·       Applications of SurveyCTO in research projects

·       General Case Study: Baseline survey implementation for a development project

Module 2: Electronic Questionnaire Design and Development

·       Principles of survey design and questionnaire development

·       Creating electronic forms using XLSForms

·       Survey structure and question types

·       Metadata and survey settings configuration

·       Designing user-friendly electronic questionnaires

·       General Case Study: Household socioeconomic assessment questionnaire

Module 3: Advanced Form Programming and Validation

·       Skip logic and conditional branching

·       Validation rules and data constraints

·       Calculations and derived variables

·       Repeat groups and nested data structures

·       Multilingual questionnaire development

·       General Case Study: Public health and demographic survey programming

Module 4: Mobile Data Collection and Field Operations

·       Installation and configuration of SurveyCTO Collect

·       Deployment of surveys to mobile devices

·       Online and offline data collection techniques

·       GPS and multimedia data collection procedures

·       Field team management and supervision strategies

·       General Case Study: Humanitarian needs assessment survey implementation

Module 5: Data Management and Real-Time Monitoring

·       SurveyCTO server configuration and administration

·       User roles and permission management

·       Real-time monitoring dashboards and reporting

·       Data synchronization and submission management

·       Data quality assurance and quality control procedures

·       General Case Study: Monitoring a nationwide education survey

Module 6: Data Export, Analysis, and Reporting

·       Exporting data to statistical software applications

·       Data cleaning and preparation techniques

·       Integrating SurveyCTO with analytical tools

·       Developing summary reports and dashboards

·       Research reporting and evidence dissemination

·       General Case Study: Monitoring and evaluation reporting system for donor-funded projects

General Information

1.     Customized Training: All our courses can be tailored to meet the specific needs of participants.

2.     Language Proficiency: Participants should have a good command of the English language.

3.     Comprehensive Learning: Our training includes well-structured presentations, practical exercises, web-based tutorials, and collaborative group work. Our facilitators are seasoned experts with over a decade of experience.

4.     Certification: Upon successful completion of training, participants will receive a certificate from Foscore Development Center (FDC-K).

5.     Training Locations: Training sessions are conducted at Foscore Development Center (FDC-K) centers. We also offer options for in-house and online training, customized to the client's schedule.

6.     Flexible Duration: Course durations are adaptable, and content can be adjusted to fit the required number of days.

7.     Onsite Training Inclusions: The course fee for onsite training covers facilitation, training materials, two coffee breaks, a buffet lunch, and a Certificate of Successful Completion. Participants are responsible for their travel expenses, airport transfers, visa applications, dinners, health/accident insurance, and personal expenses.

8.     Additional Services: Accommodation, pickup services, freight booking, and visa processing arrangements are available upon request at discounted rates.

9.     Equipment: Tablets and laptops can be provided to participants at an additional cost.

10.  Post-Training Support: We offer one year of free consultation and coaching after the course.

11.  Group Discounts: Register as a group of more than two and enjoy a discount ranging from 10% to 50%.

12.  Payment Terms: Payment should be made before the commencement of the training or as mutually agreed upon, to the Foscore Development Center account. This ensures better preparation for your training.

13.  Contact Us: For any inquiries, please reach out to us at training@fdc-k.org or call us at +254712260031.

14.  Website: Visit our website at www.fdc-k.org for more information.